(1) BLACKJACK: Under NO circumstances does being a mod on ANOTHER forum give you ANY right to act like one on this forum; and even if it did, MANY folks on this forum intentionally use "bad" or colloquial or childlike grammar and spelling. I mean there are even threads with titles such as "Maid Squad: We can has [sic: 'has' not have, and 'We can has' rather than 'Can we have'] feedback now?", that are posted by staff! I don't know why this trend is so popular; personally I find it very much not to my liking (as a professional proofreader). But it's such an established trend on this forum, that you REALLY need to KNOW WHEN TO NOT BUTT IN AND WHEN TO JUST LET SOMETHING GO. And I say this as probably your #1 biggest fan on this forum......So PLEASE don't repeat this performance. Most emphatically NEVER continue to rant when someone is (a) already apologizing, (b) already trying to improve, and, most emphatically (c) alluding to difficulties in schooling/possible learning disabilities. Thanks. (You KNOW I'd NEVER allow this in the CS!--Not in our listserv, and most emphatically NOT in our rooms at ANY con.)
(2) To the couple who started this thread: I totally believe in finding ways to make participating in cons fully accessible to people at all levels of finances, as well as at all levels of education. I personally have lived houseless many times myself, and have let folks who I love who have been houseless live with me when I've been housed, for almost my entire adult life. I understand how you were feeling when you first contacted folks. But realistically, perhaps it would have been among the options you considered to see if anyone could loan items for cosplay, and/or help you sew your own, rather than to solicit cash. Cosplay simply is something one can easily live without (as opposed to say food, water, shelter.....).
On the totally positive side, if you haven't already checked out the thread on KC Lite (in the message above), please do so. Kumoricon is going to hold a FREE day-long mini-con. It's at PSU, Portland State University, which is within the Fareless Square. So hypothetically you might be able to get there for free, and then hang out there all day for free. 12pm to 8pm. That also would be a great place to meet new congoers. You could post in the KC Lite thread or start a Plan Your Own Adventure thread asking folks to meet up with you at that event. It is on Saturday, November 1st.
I might be canvassing for Obama in Eugene....but if I'm there I'd be glad to meet you both.
Somewhere I actually have a t-shirt from a con in Vegas that a friend gave me who gave up going to cons to become a Buddhist Monk *shrugs* Who knows maybe he really got into Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service *loves* !